How to Grow & Sell Bait Worms
Worms are very easy to raise. It takes little time, energy and finances to produce them. Plus, worms are prolific breeders, so it's easy to perpetuate your supply. With just a few tools and materials you probably already have lying around home you can begin your worm enterprise. You may not get rich raising worms, but you can makes some side money, have fun doing it and ensure that you'll never run out of fishing bait.
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Things You'll Need
- Worms
- Lidded container
- Hammer
- Small punch
- Rich topsoil
- Grass clippings and leaves
- Coffee grounds, cornmeal and other foods
- Worm containers
Instructions
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1
Make or obtain a container for keeping worms. You could use a garbage can, a plastic swimming pool, a metal drum, a plastic tote or even a plywood box.
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Create a lid for the container. Punch tiny holes in the existing lid for airflow for a drum, tote or garbage can. Cover the swimming pool or plywood box with plywood with tiny air holes. Also drill tiny drainage holes into the bottom. Don't drill the holes too big or worms will escape.
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Store the container in a shady place so it stays cool. Burying it mostly underground helps keep worms cool and tempers temperature changes. You can keep the container in your basement if cold weather is a problem in your area. Just make sure the lid is sealed tightly so worms don't end up crawling around your house.
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4
Fill the container most of the way with quality dark topsoil. Avoid sand or clay. Fill the rest of the way with an inch or two of slightly moistened leaves or grass clippings.
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Add worms. Red wigglers are a top choice because they are hardy, grow quickly and stay on a fishhook.
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Feed the worms coffee grounds, cornmeal, damp newspaper, dead plants, grass clippings or other organic matter. Add food about once every other week.
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Check on the worms periodically to make sure the soil is moist (but not saturated) and that they have food.
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Begin selling your worms after about two months, when they've had time to reproduce. Advertise your business with a sign in your yard for starters. Tell your friends about your business and have them spread the word.
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Pluck worms from the dirt by moving the dirt around with a trowel or garden rake. Package them in ventilated plastic or Styrofoam containers.
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Try to market your bait to retailers, such as bait shops, gas stations, hardware stores and other stores that anglers frequent.
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Advertise your business with flyers, free online classifieds, newspaper ads and other forms of cheap advertising. As word of your business spreads, you can grow both your business and your advertising campaign.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't limit yourself to selling worms as bait. Many people now compost their organic waste and the market is ripe to sell worms to composters. Worm waste, or "castings," are excellent fertilizers that you can sell to gardeners or garden supply stores.
